The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1887-09-17
AGAINST A CONVENTION.
Resolutions Adopted at II Mass-MeetIng in
Hagerstown.

Resoiuf IONS Adopted at Mass-MeetlnS IN
Hagerstown.
HAGERsTowN, MD, sept. ia mass
meeting to oppose the call of constitu-
tional convention was held in the court
hall this afternoon. Mr.. Victor Cushwa
called the meeting to order, and stated
the object of the meeting. Mr.. Alexan-
der Armstrong WAS elected chairman.
Upon taking the chair he said that he
had considered the question before he
had heard the arguments for and against
the convention while in the Legislature
in 1856, but he did not hear any good
reason for having convention when the
present constitution made ample provis-
ion for amendments passed by the Legs
lature and adopted by the people. Secre-
taries and ten vice presidents were elect
ed, and committee of ten was appointed
to draft an address to the voters of the
county, and to prepare resolutions ex.
pressing the sentiments and views of the
meeting in opposition to the calling of a
constitutional convention. The commit
tee, after being out for some time,
through Mr.. A. B. Martin, chairman,
made a report, which was in substance
as follows:
The people of Washington county, ire
spective of party, in mass meeting as
sembled, declare their opposition to a
convention to frame new constitution
They regard it as unnecessary and bur
densome to the people and contrary to
their interests. The address then shows
that under act - OF the declaration of
rights all inequalities i'll the present sys
TEN of taxation can be and should be
remedied by the Legislature, and that all
corporate property can be taxed with out
a new constitution; that under article 3,
section 400, of the constitution free aud
fair elections can be secured by the Gen
enral Assembly without a new constitu-
ton; that whatever is defective in the
present constitution can be remeded I'M
der the 14th article of the same by
amendments passed by the Legislature
and submitted to the people for adoption,
thus enabling them to adopt only what
they want instead of compelling them to
accept what they disapprove, as they
must do in adopting new constitution
in its entirety; that the people of Wash
ing county are Interested in the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal and its preserva-
ton as public water highway, which
certain railroad corporations, it is asserted
are ready to seize and destroy, and thus
bring ruin upon many OF our people; that
the present constitution protects it from
the hands of the spoliator; that the pres
ent Judiciary system of the State has
proven satisfactory. To legislate the
present judges out of office by consti
tutional convention and to fill their places
bv dependent politicians would be a ca
lamity fearful to contemplate.
The address then opposes the conven-
ton on the ground of the expense attend
ing it, including the cost of registration,
election of delegates, the convention it
self, with its officers and attendants,
printing, the election upon the adoption
of new constitution, the election of of
ticers under the new constitution, and an
extra session of the Legislature to pass
new laws made necessary bv the change
1t estimates the cost at $500. 600 or 5000,
900, and agrees that this would increase
the tax rate or require the use of money
intended to pay OFT the public debt, and
that to turn out the otfic RS, including
those recently elected, would be unjust
aud injurious to the State. The address
then concludes by calling upon all citi-
ZeDs of the State to unite in casting their
votes against the convention. The fol-
lowing resolutions were embodied in the
report
Res0lced. That the people of Washing
ton county request their fellow citizens
of the respective counties and of the city
of Baltimore to organize and by their
votes declare against measure not re-
quired by any public necessity, but nee
essarily attended with great expense and
many possible dangers to the welfare and
prosperity of the Commonwealth.
RtsOlc6d, That, in order to secure al
most an unanimous vote in the county
against the call for a convention to frame
a new constitution, the president of this
meeting be authorized to appoint com
mittee of six, three from each political
party in each of the twenty three cleo
ton districts of the county, to bring this
important matter more fully to the at
tention of the people and to furnish them
with tickets on the day of election.
Res0lred, That we call rpon our fellow
citiZcus of the counties of the State and
city of Baltimore to appoint III mass
meeting, or otherwise, as they may de-
termine ten delegates from each county
and each legislative district of Baltimore
city to assemble in convention in the city
of Baltimore on the - day of -,
(day to be determined hereafter.) 1887,
to formulate an address to The people of
Maryland expressing their views in OPP
position to constitutional convention,
al d to adopt such measures as they may
see fit to enhghten the people on the sub
ject and to promote the object of this
meeting-the defeat of the call for a con-
Stitutonal convention
After the report was adopted the meet
ing adjourned, subject to the call of the
chairman.